Rahul Gandhi in Hyderabad to join candle light march on Rohith suicide issue

New Delhi: Stepping up the offensive on Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's suicide issue, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi left for Hyderabad this evening to participate in a candle march by students of the Hyderabad Central University.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said Gandhi would participate in the candle march and also in the sit-in organized by the students on the Hyderabad University campus.

"Yes, he is participating in the candle march with the students and would participate in dharna till 6 pm tomorrow evening," Singh said.

Congress has been demanding the sacking of HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and also removal of Vice Chancellor Appa Rao in the wake of the suicide by the Dalit scholar. This is Rahul's second visit to Hyderabad since Vemula was found hanging in the varsity's hostel room.

The Congress vice-president had visited the University on January 19 following the suicide by the Dalit scholar and met the agitating students and the family members of Vemula.